Neoregelia is a genus of more than 100 epiphytic, evergreen herbaceous perennials in the family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Bromelioideae. Described by the American botanist Lyman Bradford Smith, the genus name honours Eduard August von Regel, who served as Director of the St. Petersburg Botanic Gardens from 1875 to 1892.
Plants form compact rosettes of strap-shaped, toothed leaves that range from a few centimetres to nearly a metre across. Leaf colour varies enormously — from plain green to vivid combinations of red, purple, yellow, silver, and maroon — often banded, spotted, or marbled. The genus is celebrated for its foliage rather than its flowers: small tubular blooms in white or blue emerge from the shallow central depression of the rosette, opening only a few at a time. This central cup or "tank" collects rainwater, and in the wild the plant draws most of its nutrients from leaf litter, animal droppings, and rainfall gathered there rather than through the root system.
After flowering, the mother plant dies back but first produces several "pups" — basal offsets that are genetic clones of the parent. With over 5,000 registered cultivars and three recognised subgenera, Neoregelia is one of the most horticulturally diverse bromeliad genera, grown worldwide as houseplants, patio plants, and in tropical gardens.
Etymology
The genus name Neoregelia was coined by the American botanist Lyman Bradford Smith to honour Eduard August von Regel (1815–1892), a German-born botanist who served as Director of the Imperial Botanic Garden of St. Petersburg from 1875 until his death. Two older genus names — Aregelia Mez and Regelia (Lem.) Lindm. — had already honoured Regel, prompting Smith to coin a new name incorporating the Greek prefix neo- ("new") to distinguish his circumscription.
Distribution
Neoregelia is native to South America, with the centre of diversity in Brazil. Its native range encompasses northeastern, southern, and southeastern Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. In their natural habitat, plants grow epiphytically on the branches of forest trees in humid rainforest environments, rarely rooting in soil.
Taxonomy
Neoregelia L.B.Sm. is placed in the family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Bromelioideae, order Poales. GBIF recognises 136 descendant taxa; Wikipedia lists approximately 140 accepted species. Three subgenera are currently recognised (as of November 2022). In 2021 eight species were transferred out of Neoregelia into the newly described genus Hylaeaicum. Accepted synonyms for the genus include Aregelia Mez and Regelia (Lem.) Lindm.
Ecology
In the wild, Neoregelia species function as phytotelmata — the central leaf-rosette forms a tank that holds standing water and accumulates organic debris. Because the roots are poorly adapted to nutrient absorption, the plant relies on the tank contents (leaf litter, insect frass, animal droppings, and rainfall) for most of its mineral nutrition.
The water-filled tank creates a microhabitat exploited by many invertebrates and some vertebrates. Poison dart frogs (family Dendrobatidae) are well-documented tank-bromeliad associates, depositing and raising tadpoles in the secure, predator-reduced water of the cup. Leaf pigmentation — especially the vivid reds and purples common at the centre of the rosette near the inflorescence — is thought to protect underlying photosynthetic tissue from excess irradiance.
Cultivation
Neoregelia grows best in bright, indirect light; most cultivars will revert to plain green if light levels are insufficient. Direct midday sun can scorch the leaves, so two to six hours of direct sun is generally recommended. Plants tolerate a temperature range of roughly 10–32 °C (50–90 °F) and should be brought under glass when temperatures drop below 10 °C.
The preferred growing medium is a coarse, bark-based mix of the type used for orchids, which provides the aeration the roots require. The central tank should be kept topped up with water — rainwater or demineralised water is preferred — while the potting medium should be allowed to dry between waterings to prevent root and crown rot. The genus is humidity-tolerant but high humidity combined with wet foliage can encourage leaf-spot disease. Tanks left filled outdoors can become mosquito breeding sites; Bti-based larvicides are an effective and plant-safe treatment.
Common pests include mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Neoregelia is reported non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Suitable uses include houseplants, conservatory displays, patio containers, and interiorscapes.
Propagation
After the single flowering event, the mother plant gradually declines and produces basal offsets known as "pups". These pups are genetically identical clones of the parent. Once a pup has reached approximately one-third of the adult plant's size it can be separated and potted individually in a bark-based medium. This division method is the standard means of increase for both species and named cultivars.
